Lieutenant A.M. Yerima Was Foolhardy

Nyesom Wike, Nigerian FCT Minister (right) and Lieutenant A M Yerima, a Young Nigerian Soldier (left)

A small cadastral drama in Abuja turned out so huge that public attention in Nigeria drifted from Donald Trump and his alleged intention to invade the country to it. It was the confrontation between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and a soldier, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima. A land title that, by all indications, was not properly acquired had drawn the Minister’s attention. Upon arriving at the site, he met stiff resistance from the soldier, who refused to let him in, and the issue quickly escalated into an altercation.

Nyesom Wike is a powerful political figure—feared by many—but the soldier refused to bow to his authority. Yerima’s defiance against the formidable power and influence of the federal minister won him praise from many Nigerians, who hailed him as a courageous soldier worthy of honor, despite preventing a Federal Minister from performing his lawful duties. This, however, was not courage; it was rebellion.

Sadly, the incident exposed the shallow understanding of governance and authority among many Nigerians. While the soldier thought he was being brave, he was, in truth, being foolhardy. If the law were to be applied strictly, Lieutenant Yerima should face dismissal. Mr. Wike is an appointed and sworn Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, charged with the responsibility of administering the Federal Capital Territory. His duties include, among other things, land administration within the FCT. This is what the soldier—and many Nigerians—fail to understand. Wike was performing his legitimate duty; by obstructing him, Yerima was standing against the authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria itself.

We can examine the soldier’s ignorance further in his claim that the land belonged to a three-star General. By implication, he believed his superior officer was above Wike and the law. But a three-star General is not above the law. In fact, if the land was illegally acquired, his superior officer is culpable—perhaps even guilty of treason. Yerima also reportedly said, “Imagine a policeman talking to a soldier.” He seemed to believe that a police officer should not address a soldier, even when the latter is in the wrong. This is a dangerous mindset. The Nigeria Police Force is a constitutionally established institution responsible for enforcing law and order—even when those breaking the law are soldiers.

If the land had truly been acquired in accordance with Nigeria’s cadastral laws, there would have been no need for soldiers to guard it. The mere fact that the Minister visited the site shows that a dispute already existed over its ownership.

Many Nigerians also questioned why the Minister “stooped so low” as to personally visit the land in dispute. But that is part of his job—especially when it concerns a controversial or disputed property. If he had stayed in his office, the same Nigerians would have accused him of being disconnected from the realities on the ground.

However, the incident also highlighted Wike’s own flaw—his notorious stubbornness. The political drama involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Rivers State has already earned Wike many enemies. Many believe that since Fubara was elected by the people, Wike had no moral right to attempt to unseat him. In this latest clash, Wike’s opponent was a young, handsome soldier—a fact that, in the court of public opinion, automatically drew sympathy to Yerima and fueled generous praise for him across social media.

Apparently, Lieutenant Yerima was trained for combat but not adequately educated in civil relations—an essential aspect of maintaining a responsible and disciplined military force. I have always worried about this, assuming that such mentality was confined to the rank-and-file of the armed forces. Unfortunately, it appears to be spreading upward through the hierarchy. This is a worrisome trend that should concern both the military and the nation at large. A special course should be introduced for all soldiers to help them understand that a civilized army must refrain from bullying the very citizens it exists to protect. Failure to do so only brings shame and disgrace upon the nation.

Suicidal Mistakes of Power Distribution Companies

Substandard Power Grid. Source: Seaart.

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house – Proverbs 15: 27

I connected to the national grid in 2014. I was on estimated billing. My meter came in 2017. I noticed I needed 32 units of electricity every month. I kept adding the gadgets I needed to live a cosy life and my power needs rose to about 90 units a month. With the current categorized billing tariff that puts me on Band A, I have to pay about twenty thousand naira every month.  I am law-abiding. So, I have accepted it, despite the tariff digging a huge hole in my pocket.

But now, I coil and boil when I see neighbours using all manner of gadgets and paying five times less than I pay because they are on estimated billing. The interpretation in my mind is that I am paying for the un-metered neighbours. The use of meters for others when others are on estimated billing is a suicidal decision of power distribution companies.

Initially, meters were free. Sadly, getting it was so difficult you had to pay a bribe. Millions of consumers never got the meters as a result since the bribes required was very high. When the ogas realized that the staff were taking money to issue meters that were supposed to be free, they suddenly changed the policy to demand customers pay for meters. But, rather than clearing old customers before the policy takes effect, the company included them among customers to pay for the meters. It is a violation of their rights and is a suicidal mistake.

When power consumers started getting categorized into bands so that consumers on Band A pay a thousand naira for just 4.4 units of electricity, it was on the condition that the distribution companies supply at least 20 hours of electricity a day. The terms go on to add that should a distribution company fail to live up to this contract, there should be an automatic reversal to the old status. The distribution companies only lived up to the agreement for a couple of months before the national grid started failing. Yet, there hasn’t been any reversal of tariff as was agreed. This is a suicidal mistake.

It is the duty of power distribution companies to take electric power to communities –they are the distribution companies. That is never done. Power consumers buy poles and cables and still pay staff of power distribution companies for installation. It also means that the companies are not willing to improve their operations. This puts the selfishness of power distribution companies on a giant screen for everyone to see. Transferring the distribution of power to the consumers and waiting to only bill them is a huge suicidal mistake.   

Despite the huge profits power distribution companies declare, (over a trillion naira by the end of 2023) they are still not interested in improving working conditions for their staff. The offices look very filthy, unbefitting for humans and shameful to the reputation of the companies. Salaries are still miserably poor with the workers not being able to pay bills. The result is that the staff have joined hands with defrauded and embittered consumers. As a result, directives from the top never sink down to the bottom where it is intended. The consumers prefer to bribe field staff to get soft landings. Refusing to improve staff welfare in the midst of plenty is brazenly selfish and a suicidal mistake of the distribution companies.  

Proverb 15 verse 27 says: he that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house.